SUNY Canton college council airs concerns over recent realignment

CANTON  Though the offices have been moved and several departments were relocated under different divisions in SUNY Cantons administration, the discussion about who ordered the realignment and how it took place is still happening on campus.

On Nov. 2, staff members were boxing up their offices in response to a reorganization plan that, among other things, moved the schools athletics department under student affairs; online learning and admissions to academics and information services and university police under college administration.

Tuesday morning, members of the SUNY Canton College Council complained the changes were planned without consulting the council or notifying interim President Carli C. Schiffner.

It is my understanding that those changes were implemented without Dr. Schiffner knowing about it, said Ronald M. ONeill.

Mr. ONeill was addressing Brian G. Hutzley, SUNY vice chancellor for financial services, who along with Jennifer M. LoTurco, assistant vice chancellor for external affairs, attended the College Council meeting.

I can assure you that these changes were entirely campus-driven, Mr. Hutzley said. All of these changes were generated on campus.

That answer didnt sit well with the council.

This is as clear as mud, said council member Timmy J. Currier. To say this decision was campus-driven is not accurate; it was not made by the president.

Though College Council members claimed the changes were not made by the president, Ms. Schiffner informed the campus of the changes.

On Nov. 1 and 2, I was the one who called everybody, she said, but did not comment about the realignment plans source.

A Nov. 2 press release credited Ms. Schiffner with the realignment plan, but the college council cast doubt on the releases veracity.

If Dr. Schiffner was making these changes, she would have come to me, Mr. ONeill said. We should have been made aware. Something is not right here.

Council members also complained they werent informed of the changes until the day they took place.

Weve heard that faculty, administrators and the president were surprised by the announcement, said Richard C. Callan. It is apparent something happened here and it didnt happen the right way.

That left the council wondering whose plan was implemented earlier this month, and by whose authority. The issue is a sign of a larger communication breakdown between the SUNY chancellors office and board of trustees, on one hand, and the campus leadership represented by the council and Ms. Schiffner, on the other.

The rift occurs amid lingering concerns over the SUNY Central-mandated move to share services between SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam. Both schools have worried about losing independent leadership and administrative control over their respective campuses.

Ms. LoTurco, the assistant vice chancellor, assured the council that SUNY Central was not trying to micromanage the campus.

We have 64 campuses. We couldnt possibly reach in and decide who is going to be whose boss, she said. I hear you think the wool is being pulled over your eyes. I can assure you that isnt happening.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.